Opening and closing the instrument

Opening the RBRquartz³ APT

Do not attempt twisting the housing sections at any joint while the two halves of the instruments are together. The RBRquartz³ APT has internal wires which may be damaged by such actions.

The only proper way of opening the RBRquartz³ APT is to disconnect it in the middle into two halves first. Follow the steps below.

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RBRquartz³ APT

Step Description Images

1

Locate the nylon locking strap on the side of the instrument. The exposed edge has a hole in it.
step 1

2

Using a pair of pliers, pull the nylon strap out of its locking groove.

It is normal to have a little silicone compound on this strap to help with its insertion/removal from the groove.
step 1a

3

Gently pull apart the two halves of the instrument. The wire assemblies allow for a gap of about 60mm.
step 2 a

4

Remove the strain relief lacing tape and nylon straps from the wire assemblies.

step 4a

5

Disconnect the wire assemblies:

  1. Using tweezers or plastic spudgers, gently wiggle the six-pin and five-pin connectors and pull them out from the PCBs.

  2. Hold the two parts of the two-pin connector with the tips of your fingers and pull them apart.

    Never pull by the wires when separating the connectors.
tweezers wires

step 4 a

6

Once the wire assemblies are disconnected, the two halves of the RBRquartz³ APT can now be handled independently.
step 5

Closing the RBRquartz³ APT

Step Description Images

1

Replace the two sets of O-ringswhich were exposed when the instrument was open.
step 1 c

2

Screw the coupling back onto the instrument.
step 2 c

3

Replace the desiccant capsules. Fresh desiccant is orange.
step 3 d

4

Replace the batteries, ensuring correct polarity.
step 3a b

5

Reconnect the wiring, in this order:

  1. the five-pin connector to the small lower board

  2. the six-pin connector to the larger board

  3. the two-pin connector (two-wire connection)
step 4

6

Put the strain relief lacing tape and nylon straps on the wire assemblies.

step 4a

7

With a removable marker, mark the location of the dowel pin on outside of the housing. Also, mark the location of the mating dowel pinhole on the outside of the coupler.
step 5 c

8

Reassemble the two halves of the instrument:

  1. Align the markings.

  2. Make sure the dowel pin goes right into the hole.

  3. Gently push the two sections together.

  4. Inspect the joint, as O-rings may get snagged on the cutout for the strap.

    If any O-ring debris is found, go to Opening the RBRquartz³ APT, Steps 3-5, and replace the damaged O-ring.

    Then, go to Closing the RBRquartz³ APT, Step 5, and continue with the re-assembly.
step 6a c

9

Using pliers or your thumb, push the nylon locking strap into the slot all the way in, cut-off end first.

The instrument is now closed.
step 7 c